The National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) was released on Nov. 4, marking a significant advancement in incident data collection for fire departments. The secure, cloud-based platform delivers all-hazards data and analytic tools that will empower fire and EMS leaders to enhance community safety and make better operational decisions.
NERIS, developed in collaboration with fire and emergency service professionals, is an initiative led by the Fire Safety Research Institute, part of UL Research Institutes, in collaboration with the United States Fire Administration. It is built to address emerging challenges, including lithium-ion battery fires, wildland-urban interface incidents, and extreme weather conditions. After extensive beta testing with over 60 departments, NERIS Version 1 will now onboard 100 additional departments by the end of 2024. This is part of a phased adoption strategy that will test the new platform at every step.
Beginning in January 2025, NERIS will undergo a 12-month nationwide rollout, eventually replacing the legacy National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) as the primary reporting tool for fire and emergency response for the nation’s approximately 27,000 fire departments.
How NERIS Will Support the Fire Service:
- Enhanced Resource Advocacy: NERIS will help departments convey staffing and resource needs by enabling a clearer understanding of the complexity of emergency response.
- Informed Resource Allocation: By making geospatial information a core component, departments will be able to make data-informed decisions on the placement of personnel, apparatus, and stations.
- Risk Insights: NERIS will provide a shared view of risks at local, state, and national levels and support local risk reduction efforts.
- Service Performance: Access to near-real-time data will help departments identify and address gaps.
